Cycling in Hong Kong

Submitted by cyclotripper on Wed, 09/05/2012 - 09:40

Hi Everyone, I am interested in the history of cycling in Hong Kong. I am sure cycling was very common at some time in the past, but obviously the practice has not really survived. I'd love to know why? Is it because the people preferred cars? Is it because the governments didn't choos to accomodate cycling with its infrastructure?

I can imagine Nathn Road, and Hennessey Road being full of bicycles, and its really a pity it isnt that way now.

 

I'd also love to see pictures of cycling in Hong Kong from the past, if anyone has any can you please share, or point me towards where I can see some.

Thanks

We see the odd bicycle in old photos, eg in last week's photo there's a small crowd on the beach. The only one in a dark jacket is standing astride his bicycle.

There's another mention on the Nathan Road photo:

The first mention I found of a collision along Nathan Road didn't involve any motor vehicle at all: In 1922 a drunk cyclist collided with a police constable! (China Mail, 1922-4-20, page 1)

But the roads here never had the crowds of cyclists you saw in mainland China.

Please let us know what you discover,

Regards, David

Hi,

Cycling was popular in Hong Kong as early as 1870. The first organised race took place in February that year. If you look at the Hong Kong Daily Press of Feb 18 and 19, 1870, you'll find a couple of reports of the event. At least one cyclist rode a Hong Kong-made machine. See the 'Where to find Hong Kong's history' link at the top of the page for instructions about how to find the right newpaper edition.

regards,

Adam

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According to Sam Chu, founder of the Hong Kong Vintage Cycle Club, up to the 1970s, cycling was an ubiquitous part of Hong Kong, used for deliveries all over town, and journeys into China.  He says that Hong Kong’s prosperity grew on the back of bicycles, adding that in the 1960s and 1970s Hong Kong also had a bike manufacturing industry.

See him and a bit about HKVCC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvccMx6jvaI

HKVCC is on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagecyclehk

I'm no expert, but it seems that from the evidence here, cycling was something mainly centered around business's. Bikes for hauling cargo, or a platform for selling goods. Which in many respects is still represented on the streets today {hauling cargo.} It's also represented by the design of a lot of bicycles we see on the road. Mostly we see cargo bikes, and overly build work horses. I don't think I have seen a traditional style step through frame on the roads here. 

It does not seem that bikes were used a lot by people for transport. Just an assumption, but maybe bicycles were associated with the working class, and over time, this association has been their demise. 

In 1935 a few boys from my scout group cycled from Hong Kong to Canton, Chungshan, and Macao along the KCRC railroad and back, visiting a number of schools and scout groups in the region.

They brought back a signed commemorative flag that still hangs above our scout room.  

15HKG Scouts with their cross-country bicycles
15HKG Scouts with their cross-country bicycles, by SiliconDioxide
15HKG Scouts with their cross-country bicycles 2
15HKG Scouts with their cross-country bicycles 2, by SiliconDioxide

 

Commemorative flag for Scouts Cycle to Canton & Macao 1935
Commemorative flag for Scouts Cycle to Canton & Macao 1935, by SiliconDioxide